England v Samoa: Rugby World Cup – live

Here’s our match report from Wales’ earlier win over Georgia:

Steve Borthwick talks to ITV: “It’s been a great couple of weeks – we had a really well-deserved break for a few days, then ripped into training. It’s been tough and physical, because we expect this Test match to be tough and physical.

On Ford and Farrell, he says: “It’s great to have players of such quality in this squad; they’ve got a great winning rate as a combination, I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do today.” On Tom Curry’s return, he says the England back row now has “speed, power and physicality – and that’s what we’ll need against Samoa.”

I mentioned earlier that Samoa have a very slim chance of getting to the quarter-finals. Here’s what they need to happen:

• Argentina and Japan draw in Sunday’s game

• Neither team earns a bonus point in the draw

• Samoa beat England by at least 29 points

• Samoa also pick up a try bonus point

If all that were to happen, Samoa would sneak into second place on points difference. They need a few snookers, it’s fair to say.

Wales have sealed top spot in Pool C and a quarter-final against either Argentina or Japan (in all likelihood), but they didn’t have it all their own way as Georgia roared back in the second half, getting back to 24-19 behind before Louis Rees-Zammit helped Wales over the line.

Oh, and there was also a massive fight which saw two players yellow carded. Luke McLaughlin was watching …

England Freddie Steward, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (c), Jonny May, George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Courtney Lawes, Tom Curry, Ben Earl.

Replacements: Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence.

Samoa Duncan Paia’aua, Nigel Ah-Wong, Tumua Manu, Danny Toala, Neria Fomai, Lima Sopoaga, Jonathan Taumateine; Jordan Lay, Sama Malolo, Michael Alaalatoa (c), Sam Slade, Brian Alainu’u’ese, Theo McFarland, Fritz Lee, Steven Luatua.

Replacements: Seilala Lam, James Lay, Paul Alo-Emile, Sootala Fa’aso’o, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, Christian Leali’ifano, Miracle Faiilagi.

Before this World Cup began, if you had told the average England fan their team’s Pool D fate would be sealed before the final match, they would probably have feared the worst. Instead, they have defied gloomy predictions to win their first three games, and can already look forward to the quarter-finals with top spot assured.

With that in mind, Steve Borthwick is sending out a side close to his best XV – 13 of the 15 players who started against Argentina will line up in Lille today. Owen Farrell and George Ford both start as the head coach prepares a dress rehearsal for the knockout stages, where England are likely to face Fiji.

Samoa can technically still qualify for the last eight, but need an extraordinary series of events to go their way. Realistically, their aim is a top-three finish and an automatic spot in 2027 after a disappointing campaign. Beyond pride and permutations, here is also a chance to earn a historic first-ever win over England.